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Differences Between Primary and Secondary Storage?

The major differences between primary and secondary storage are in how the central processing unit (CPU) on a computer can access the storage and the way in which the storage is used. Primary storage typically refers to storage or memory directly connected to and accessed by a computer’s CPU, and is typically volatile memory referred to as random access memory (RAM). Secondary storage, on the other hand, does not directly connect to a CPU and is non-volatile memory. Other differences between the two include the amount of data typically stored on such memory and the speed at which the data is processed.

While primary and secondary storage both refer to types of memory used with a computer, there are a number of differences between each storage type. Storage, in general, is used synonymously with the term “memory” and indicates hardware used to store data that is processed by the computer while it is in use. Both storage types are typically located within the tower or case of a computer, but primary storage usually takes the form of RAM that is directly installed onto a motherboard while secondary storage is often a hard disk drive connected to the motherboard by a cable.